Lined swimming pool



May 12, 1970 G. c. Fox

LINED SWIMMING Pool.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 13, 1968 m T m w 1X O F 6.0. me F G D 4m 3G 2\4 8 4 V4 FIGS Y E N R O n A May 12., 1970 G. C. FOX

LINED SWIMMING PooL 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 13, 1968 INVENTOR GEORGEC. ,FOX

FISIO United States Patent O M 3,511,002 LIWED SWIMMING POOL George C.Fox, R.D. 3, Box 43S, Dover, Pa. 17315 Filed May 13, 1968, Ser. No.728,601 Int. Cl. E04h 3/18 U.S. Cl. 52-146 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE A swimming pool having sidewalls formed from sheets ofrelatively rigid material connected at the ends and extending around theentire perimeter of the pool, the sheet material preferably comprisingmetal and the inner surfaces thereof which face the interior of the poolbeing covered with lining sheets of non-corrosive metal coextensive narea with the sidewall sheets and all of said sheets having end flangesextending perpendicularly thereto and abutting each other for connectionby bolts or rivets. The upper edges of the sidewall and lining sheetsare held in overlying condition by channel means and the lower portionsof the sheets are similarly held together by interlocking membersextending through holes adjacent the lower edges of the sheets, theinterlocking members being embedded in concrete when it is poured withinthe confines of the sidewalls upon the ground circumscribed thereby.Braces comprising X-shaped frames extend perpendicularly outward fromthe sidewalls and are connected thereto by flange means fixed to thesidewall sheets at transversely spaced locations, the braces at theirupper ends supporting a deck extending rearwardly from a copingassociated with the channel means which receive the upper edges of thesheets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention in some respectscomprises an improvement over applicants recently issued patent, No.3,371,455, dated Mar. 5, 1968. The preferred construction set forth insaid patent comprises a pool having sidewalls preferably formed fromplywood and covered by a lining preferably formed from synthetic resinsuch as a suitable vinyl composition which not only covers the innersurfaces of the sidewalls but also covers the bottom or floor of thepool.

Although pools constructed in accordance with the principles of saidprior patent have proved highly satisfactory and permit the constructionof pools for a reasonable cost, it has been found that certain customersprefer a more durable pool and especially one which will render withgreater facility the periodic cleaning of the sidewalls and floor of thepool than is afforded by plastic lining material. Further, concerningincreased durability, a poured concrete iloor has been found to besuperior to a floor which simply comprises a sheet of synthetic resinover packed soil but nevertheless presents certain problems with whichthe present invention is at least partially concerned.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the principal object of the presentinvention to provide a swimming pool which may be either within theground or entirely above the ground level and comprising sidewallspreferably formed from sheet metal, such as 3,511,002 Patented May l2,1970 galvanized sheet steel of suitable thickness and covered on theinner surface by relatively thin stainless steel lining sheets which arecoextensive in area with the sidewall sheets and are secured or anchoredthereto at the upper edges by channel means which receive the upper edgeportions of the two overlying sheets and the lower portions of thesheets are connected by transversely extending anchoring meansprojecting through holes at spaced intervals in the lower portions ofthe sheets, at least one end of said anchoring means being embeddedwithin the concrete or cement floor when poured upon the ground floorsurface of the pool and extending into firm engagement with the innersurface of the lower portions of the lining sheets.

Another object of the invention is to provide bracing means for saidsidewall sheets which are arranged at horizontally spaced intervalsaround the exterior surfaces of the sidewalls and are affixed thereto byvertical flange means, preferably in the form of a metal angle extendingvertically and connected along one flange to the outer surface of thesidewall sheets, the other flange thereof being connectable to thebracing means which, in the preferred embodiment of the invention,comprise a pair of members which are crossed intermediately of the endsthereof to form an X-shaped frame.

-It is a further object of the invention to provide said X-shapedbracing frames with horizontally extending tension members connected atthe ends thereof to the upper ends of the X-frame members for purposesof facilitating the mounting of a horizontal, preferably poured concretedeck which extends outwardly away from the edge of the pool and issupported by the upper ends of the deck bracing frames, the edge of thedeck nearest to the pool being covered by a curved coping to which thereis connected preferably channel means which receive the upper edges ofthe overlying sidewall and lining sheets.

Still another object of the invention is to provide bracing channelmeans which receive the aforementioned channel means associated with thecoping and applicable to said coping channel means along straight orflat Wall sections of the pool, the bracing channel means being formedfrom rigid metal and auxiliary, laterally extending flanges preferablyare formed thereon to enhance the bracing effect thereof to enable thewall sections to resist flexing by forces applied laterally againsteither surface thereof.

A still further object of the invention is to provide filler strips tocompensate for inaccuracies in the lengthwise dimensions of theoverlying sidewall and lining sheets, such filler strips being disposedbetween the connecting flanges on the ends of said overlying sheets topermit -rm clamping of said end flanges to corresponding flanges ofadjacent sidewall and lining sheets without buckling any of said sheetsand also permitting the insertion of suitable gasket strips between theflanges of adjacent sheets to render the sidewalls water-tight.

Details of the invention and of the foregoing objects,

as well as other objects thereof, are set forth in the followingspecification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings comprising apart thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan view of anexemplary configuration of swimming pool having sidewalls and otherfeatures embodying the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view, as seen on the line 2 2of FIG. l, showing details of the wall and deck structure of the pooland bracing means employed therewith.

FIG. 3 is a still further enlarged, fragmentary illustration of thestructure shown in the upper right-hand corner of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary detail of part of the structure shown in FIG. 3as seen on the line 4 4 thereof.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, horizontal sectional view of part of thestructure shown in FIG. 2 as seen on the line 5-5 thereof.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the structure shownin the lower right-hand portion of FIG. 2 but illustrated on a largerscale than employed therein.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, partially sectional and somewhat exploded viewof a section of the pool sidewall embodying the principles of theinvention as illustrated in the preceding figures.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary vertical sectional view of the upperportion of the wall structure of the pool illustrated in the precedingfigures and showing details of additional bracing means to preventflexing of the straight sections of the sidewalls of the pool.

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 6 but illustrating in greater detailcertain features thereof on a larger scale than in FIG. 6.

FIG. l0 is a perspective View of an exemplary sidewall sheets of thetype employed in the pool illustrated in the preceding gures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention isprimarily directed to a type of swimming pool which may be merchandisedin knockeddown condition and packaged compactly in a relatively largepackage capable of being handled by fork lift trucks and the like.Essentially, the pool consists of a plurality of sheets of metalcomprising sidewall sheets or panels, sidewall lining sheets preferablycomprising non-corrodable metal such as stainless steel and the like,components of X-shaped bracing frames, connecting bolts and tie bars,sections of coping preferably of appreciable length, and bracingchannels attachable to the upper edges of the sidewall sheets which aremounted in flat and straight manner as distinguished from sidewallsheets which define curved sidewall portions of the pool.

The manner in which the various components referred to above areinterconnected and arranged to form a swimming pool is illustrated inexemplary manner in FIG. 1 which, in general, is a plan view of atypical pool to which the present invention lends itself, the same beingshown in slightly perspective manner. It is to be understood thatvarious other geometrical shapes of pools may be utilized in conjunctionwith the invention. Essentially, the type of construction with which thepresent invention is concerned is of a rugged and highly durable natureand, in many respects, is superior to pools formed primarily fromconventional masonry construction.

The exemplary pool 10 shown in FIG. 1 comprises sidewalls 12 and a deck14 which is illustrated as extending around the entire periphery of thepool. If desired, however, only certain portions of the periphery of thepool may be provided with a deck. The sidewalls 12 surround a bottom orfloor 16 which, in accordance with the preferred construction of thepresent invention, is formed from poured concrete or cement. Inaccordance with normal construction, one end of the pool may be providedwith a deepened portion 18 to facilitate diving from the exemplarydiving board 20, for example.

As explained above, the pool may be located within the ground and beformed by providing a suitable excavation, or the same may be mounted soas to be disposed substantially entirely above the ground surface butsupported thereby. Such alternate arrangement of the pool is madepossible by the fact that the sidewalls 12 of the pool are supported insubstantially vertical position by a plurality of brace means 22 which,as best shown in FIG. 2, comprise a pair of members 24 and 26 whichcross each other intermediately of the ends thereof to form an X-shapedbracing frame.

Preferably, the members 24 and 26 are formed from suitable metal, suchas extruded aluminum, to form a channel-shaped configuration such asshown in cross-section, for example, in FIG. 4. The members preferablyare rigidly connected together by a pair of rivets or bolts 28.Particularly if the bracing frames 22 are to be mounted within theground, such as shown in exemplary manner in FIG. 2, it is preferredthat said members be formed of non-corrosive metal such as aluminum, or,if formed from steel, they should be appropriately rust-proofed, such asby galvanizing.

The upper ends of the members 24 and 26 are provided with appropriateholes respectively to receive the opposite ends of a tension member ortie bar 30. Referring to FIG. 4, it will be seen that the ends of thetie bar 30 may be bent at right angles so as to extend through a hole 32in each of the brace members 24 and 26. The tension members 30 veryconveniently may be formed from reinforcing steel rods of the typecommonly employed in reinforced concrete structures.

'Ihe deck 14 preferably is formed from poured concrete. If the pool isof the in-the-ground type, the bracing frames 22 are placed at suitablelocations around the periphery of the pool, preferably by placing oneend upon a suitable footer such as a large brick, stone, or cement block34, and the other leg is preferably placed within a concrete footer 36poured within a suitable cavity 38 dug within the surrounding groundincident to installing the pool. Said lower end of the brace member 24,for example, preferably is anchored to the footer by a suitableinterlocking bar 40 which extends through suitable holes in the flangesof the channel-shaped member 24 and also projects into the soft concreteof footer 36, the footer then being permitted to set before the deck 14is poured with respect to the upper ends of the bracing frames 22.

Also, prior to pouring concrete to form the deck 14 with respect to anin-the-ground pool, back filling of the excavation first occurs, wherebythe upper surface of the filled ground is below the tie bar 30 and formsthe base surface upon which the concrete deck 14 is poured. In the eventthe pool is an above-ground type, appropriate forms are used to supportthe concrete which forms the deck 14 and after the same has set, theform is removed. The concrete, when poured, preferably envelopes theupper end portions of the bracing frames 22 and the tie bars 30 thereof.

The sidewalls 12, in accordance with the present invention, are of acomposite nature. As best shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 8 and 9, they comprise aseries of basic sidewall sheets 42 which, for example, may be galvanizedsteel sheets of suitable gauge. In actual practice, it has been foundthat 14 gauge is highly satisfactory, the same being .078" thick. Suchsheet might also be referred to as a backing sheet. Further, it is to beunderstood that such specified thickness is not to be regarded asrestrictive but merely illustrative. For most types of swimming poolsand especially those used in conjunction with domestic homes, sheetsapproximately 42 inches high and 8 feet long are highly appropriate andpractical. However, as in regard to the foregoing examples of thickness,such dimensions are merely illustrative and not restrictive. Theopposite ends of such sheets also are bent at a right angle to the planeof the sheet to form a connecting flange 44 which is provided with aseries of hole-s 46, see FIG. 10, to receive connecting bolts or rivets48 of appropriate size and length, an example of which is shown in FIG.5.

The basic sidewall sheets 42 also are provided intermediately of theends thereof with a series of flange members 50 which are best shown inFIG. 10. One appropriate form thereof comprises metal angle members. Oneflange thereof is appropriately connected to the rear face of thesidewall sheets 42, such as by a row of rivets or short bolts, the headsof which preferably are countersunk into the surface of the sheets 42which are adjacent the pool. The other flange of the members 50 projectsperpendicularly from the rear face thereof, as shown in FIG. 10, for thedual purpose of bracing the sheets 42 against bulging flexure from avertical plane, such as might be induced by the pressure of the water inthe pool against the adjacent surface of sheet 42, and also to form ameans by which the bracing frames 22 may be connected to the sheets 42and project perpendicularly therefrom outwardly.

'For purposes of connecting the frames 22 thereto, each of theperpendicular flanges of the members 50 is provided with at least a pairof holes 52, respectively adjacent' opposite ends thereof, for thereception of bolts or rivets 54, see FIG. 2, by which the upper andlower ends of bracing frame members 24 and 26 are connected thereto. Itis to be understood that, in the preferred construction of the pool, onebracing frame 22 is connected to each of the flange members 50= on thebasic sidewall sheets 42. The horizontal spacing between the flangemembers 50 is selected suitably to provide appropriate bracing for thesidewalls of the pool and two exemplary arrangements thereof are shownrespectively in FIGS. 1 and 10.

To enhance the durable nature of the pool structure essentially embodiedin the present invention, and notwithstanding the fact that so-calledplastic linings for pools are reasonably durable for a limited number ofyears, it is preferred, in accordance with the present invention, thatnot only the durability but also the ease of cleaning swimming pools beenhanced by providing lining means in overlying relationship with theinner surface of the sidewall sheets 42 which are more durable andeasily cleaned than plastic. Accordingly, the present invention providesrelatively thin but reasonably rigid lining sheets 56 which arecoextensive in area with the sidewall sheets 42 and preferably areformed from noncorrodable metals such as stainless steeel or theequivalent. By way of illustrative but non-restrictive illustration,stainless steel of approximately 26 gauge, which is .019" in thickness,has been found to be highly satisfactory.

Referring to FIG. 5, it will be seen that the opposite ends of thelining sheets 56 also are similarly bent perpendicularly to the planesof the lining sheets to provide connecting end flanges 58 which are bestshown in FIG. 5. Said end flanges are substantially coextensive with andoverlie the connecting end flanges 44 of the sidewall sheets 42 and allof the same have axially aligned holes to receive the connecting bolts48, for example. To insure water-proof qualities for the sidewalls ofthe pool, an appropriate strip of gasket material 60, see FIG. 5, isdisposed between the adjacent end flanges 58 of a pair of the compositesidewalls and liner sheets 42 and 56.

In view of the fact that manufacturing discrepancies are difficult toavoid, at least completely, it is contemplated by the present inventionthat filler strips 62, one example of which is shown in FIG. 5, ofsuitable material, preferably of relatively incompressible material, beprovided to compensate for discrepancies in the overall lengths of thesheets 42 and 56 which result in spacings of certain thicknessesoccurring between the flanges 44 and 58 at one end of such compositesidewall member. Accordingly, it is preferred that a supply of fillerstrips 62 be provided of different thicknesses within a limited range ofsuch thicknesses to serve somewhat as shims. Insulating fiber-board andsimilar material has been found to be highly suitable for this purpose.

Further to enhance the stability of the composite sidewall sheets 42,56, as illustrated in exemplary manner in FIG. 5, said sheets may beadhered together by appropriate cement which is illustrated as anexemplary layer 64. Suitable brands of so-called contact cement of acommercial nature is suitable for such purpose. Epoxy cements, either ofa continuous or spotty arrangement, also may be utilized to secure thesheets together prior to connection of the various sheets to form theperiphery of the pool 10.

Although the proposed thickness or gauge of the lining sheets 56 issuitable to render the same relatively stiff, particularly where cementis not relied upon to adhere the lining sheets to the basic sidewallsheets 42, it is preferred that the lining sheets 56 be fixed inoperative position with respect to the sheets 42 especially at the upperand lower edges thereof. To accomplish this, the upper edges of theoverlying sheets 42 and 56 are received within a suitable channel 66,which, in crosssection, is substantially U-shaped and preferably isintegral with one edge of a coping member 68 which is best illustratedin FIGS. 2, 3, 7 and 8.

As shown in said figures, the coping member is preferably formed byextrusion, from suitable synthetic resin having at least limitedflexibilty to permit the material to be curved, such as, in particular,around curved end portions of the swimming pool as indicated inexemplary manner in FIG. l. At least where the coping is associated withrelatively flat and non-curved sidewall sections, if desired, the copingmember 68 may be formed from metal, such as by being extruded fromaluminum. It also will be seen from these figures that the coping memberis curved in cross-section and is approximately semi-circular so as toafford a smoothly rounded perimeter for the upper edge of the pool fromwhich the deck 14 extends horizontally outwardly.

The coping member `68 also preferably is provided with one terminal,inwardly directed flange 70 which extends downward from the upper edgethereof, for purposes of interlocking the Iupper edge of the copingmember with the concrete of the deck 14. In opposition to the terminalflange 70 is the channel member 66, serving to interlock the lower edgeof the coping member 68 with the deck 14. Such interlocking isaccomplished by the flowing of soft concrete material into the confinesof the coping member 68. It also will be understood that the copingmember 68 is supplied in suitable extruded lengths to render the samereadily capable of being shipped in packaged condition or otherwise withrespect to the other components of the swimming pool referred tohereinabove, and also to facilitate installation thereof.

It will be seen particularly from FIGS. 3 and 8 that the channel member66 has a groove which is wider than the combined thickness of the sheets42 and 56. This is in order that the coping may serve to accommodate theupper edges of sidewall sheets of other material than sheet metal, suchas plywood. However, in order to afford accurate positioning of theupper edges of the relatively thin sheets 42 and 56 relative to eachother within the channel 66, which is wider than the combined thiknessof said laminated sheets, a strip of appropriate filler material 72 isused. Such filler strip 72 is of suitable thickness and length that itmay extend across the upper edges of the laminated sheets 42, 56 andalso extend down opposite surfaces thereof a sufficient distance toconform to the inner surfaces of the channel 66 and thereby accuratelyposition the lupper edges of the laminated sheets 42, 56, not only withrespect to the channel 66 but also to firmly hold the same in overlying,flat abutting relationship with respect to each other. The fillermaterial 72 may be of any appropriate nature and particularly somematerial which is at least of limited compressibility such as felt,sponge rub-ber, cork, certain forms of synthetic resin, and the like.

In regard to the coping members 68 which are disposed in the curvedcircumferential portions of the pool l0, and particularly where the sameare subjected to a curving configuration which is permitted by thelimited flexibility of the material from which they are formed, it willbe apparent, particularly where the coping sections are curved about aradius with an internal center, that there is a tendency for the flange70 to be moved vertically toward the channel 66 and vice versa. To avoidthis and to maintain the desired vertical dimension of coping member`68, a series of spacing blocks '74 may be utilized, as illustrated inexemplary manner in FIGS. 3 and 7 for disposition between the uppersurface of channel 66 and the lower edge of flange 70 so as to minimizeif not substantially prevent such lessening of the vertical dimensionLbetween the same.

Particularly for purposes of enhancing the ability of the relativelystraight and flat sidewall sheets to resist flexing tendencies imposedagainst the opposite surface thereof, by either the water in the pool orthe earth behind the sidewalls of the pool, examples of which fiatsections are shown in the upper portion of FIG. 1, the inventionadditionally contemplates the use of bracing channel members 761, atypical example of which is shown in cross-section in FIG. 8. Thebracing channel members 76 preferably are formed from sheet metal andhave approximately the same gauge as the basic sidewall sheets 42 orpossibly slightly heavier.

The width of the channel in the members 76 preferably is such that itsnugly receives the channel 66 which is integral with the coping 68.Further to facilitate the stiffening capabilities of the bracing channelmembers 76, they preferably are provided with laterally extendingflanges 78 which are integral with and project in opposite directionsfrom the terminal edges of the, channel members 76 as clearly shown inFIG. 8. The members 76 also preferably are suitably rust-proof such asby galvanizing the same when formed from steel. The length of themembers 76 preferably is substantially equal to the length of the copingmembers 68.

As will -be seen particularly from FIGS. 8 and 10, the connectingflanges 44 on the opposite ends of the sidewall sheets 42, as well asthe companion flanges 58 on the opposite ends of the lining sheets 56,and also the bracing and connecting flange members 50, all terminate attheir upper ends a limited distance below the upper edges of the sheets42 and 56 in order to permit said upper edge portions of the sheetsreadily to be received within the channel 66 of the coping members 68.As indicated hereinabove, the strips of filler material 72 are of suchwidth that when they extend around the upper edges of the overlyingsheets 42 and 56, they will substantially be entirely contained withinthe channels 66. The arrangement just described pertains to allperipheral sections of the sidewalls of the pool 10 regardless ofwhether they are substantially straight or cur-ved, it being understoodthat at least along the straight sections thereof, the bracing channels76 also may be employed.

As will be seen from the foregoing description, the upper edge portionsof the interconnected lining sheets 56 which overlie the sidewall sheets42 are4 effectively held in firm and flatly abutting relationship by thechannel members 66 and the filler strips 72 therein. One of the. verydistinct advantageous and meritorious aspects of the present inventioncomprises the means by which the lower edge portion of the sheets 42 and56 are held in similarly firm and flatly abutting relationship withrespect to each other, regardless of whether or not cement 64, asillustrated in exemplary manner in FIG. 5, is used therebetween or not.The means for holding the lower edge portions of said sheets in suchfirm abutting relationship with each other is illustrated best in FIGS.2, 6 and 9 and the details thereof are as follows:

In the event the pool to be constructed is an in-theground type, anappropriate excavation is made and CJI suitable levels are establishedwith respect to .the bottom of the excavation which will receive thelower ends of the bracing frames 22, the concrete which will form thefloor 16, and the surfaces upon which footer bloc'ks 34 and the pouredfooters 36 are disposed for support. As indicated above, the footerblocks 34 may be of any appropriate nature and when they have beenplaced upon the bottom of the excavation at a prescribed level asdetermined by surveying instruments, the lower edges of the sidewallsheets 42 and lining sheets 56 are disposed against the upper and lowerends of the brace members 24 and 26 of the X-frames 22 interconnectedthereto such as by bolts 54. Such arrangement will effectively disposethe sidewalls substantially in Vertical position, particularly after thecoping members 68 have been disposed in operative relationship withrespect to the composite sidewalls formed by the overlying sheets 42 and56.

The lower edge portions of said overlying sheets are provided at spacedlocations therealong, adjacent said lower edges with a plurality ofholes 80, see FIG. 9, through which elongated anchoring members 82extend. If desired, these may be formed from reinforcing steel barssimilar to the tie bars 30. Preferably, the holes through which members82 extend are of such diameter that they rather closely receive thesame. When the members are disposed within the holes 80, as illustratedin exemplary manner in FIG. 9, the concrete which is to form the floor16 then is poured onto the bottom surface of the excavation and suchconcrete also preferably extends around all sides 0f the footer blocks34 so as effectively to position the same against lateral movement inany direction. The pressure of the fluid concrete against the exposedsurface of the lower portion of the lining sheets 56 will force the sameinto firm, flatly abutting relationship with the sidewall sheets 42.

The opposite ends of the anchoring members 82 preferably are bentappropriately to effect locking thereof with the concrete comprising thefloor 16 into which one end of each of such members extend. When suchconcrete has set, it will be seen that the lower ends of the engagedbracing frame members are held against lateral movement with respect tothe footer blocks therefor, the lower edge portions of the lining sheets56 are held firmly against the adjacent lower edge portions of thesidewall sheets 42, especially in view of the pressure of the concretefloor against the same, and the adjacent concrete floor portion iseffectively anchored with the end portion of the anchoring member 82which is nearest the lower edge portions of the lining sheets 56.Effective stability of all of the interconnected members just referredto therefore is established on a permanent basis. A ready visual conceptof the foregoing may be obtained from FIG. 7.

In addition to the connecting and stabilizing means describedhereinabove, one further aligning and interlocking arrangement isafforded in the form of a longitudinally extending tie bar 84 whichpreferably extends longitudinally between the upper and outer ends ofthe brace members 26 of bracing frames 22 and through appropriate holesformed therein, which holes are adjacent the holes 32 provided therein.The level at which the tie bar 84 is arranged in the upper ends of thebrace members 26 is such that the ybar 84 is embedded within theconcrete which forms the deck 14 as can be seen best from FIG. 2. Thebar 84 preferably is of reinforcing steel stock such as that from whichthe tie bars 30 are formed, for example. The tie bars 84 not onlysuitably position the outer upper ends of the bracing frames 22 prior topouring the concrete deck 14, but the same also brace the outer edgeportions of the deck between the bracing frames 22 so as to resistbending stresses imposed by loads which the decks sustain in use.

In view of the use of non-corrosive metal sheet material in the form oflining sheets 56 which are disposed in contact with the water of thepool, as distinguished from non-metallic liners such as sheet plasticmaterial and the like, it will be seen that such lining sheets,particularly where formed from stainless steel, render the entire wallstructure highly durable and long lasting, resistant to deterioration.In addition, such lining surface which is afforded by the sheet metalreadily lends itself to being cleansed and scoured periodically withoutdeterioration or damage to the same as is possible when cleaning sheetplastic lining material. In addition,`the anchoring means afforded atthe lower edge portions of the composite sidewall sheets between suchsheets and the poured concrete oor 16 of the pool constitutes a highlypractical and long lasting, effective means for preventing anyappreciable leakage between the lower edges of the sidewalls and theperiphery of the 'bottom or floor of the pool.

While the invention has been described and illustrated in its severalpreferred embodiments, it shoudl be understood that the invention is notto be limited to the precise details herein illustrated and describedsince the same may be carried out in other ways falling within the scopeof the invention as claimed.

I claim:

1. A swimming pool comprising sidewalls formed from sheets of rigidmaterial connected together at the ends thereof and forming the interiorconnes of the pool, substantially X-shaped, brace means connected to andextending outwardly from said connected sheets away from the interior ofthe pool and engaging the adjacent ground for support thereby andoperable to hold said sidewalls in substantially vertical position,lining sheets of thin and relatively rigid non-corrosive material atlyoverlying the inner surface of all said connected sidewall sheets andsubstantially coextensive in area therewith, channel means openingdownwardly and receiving the upper edges of said overlying sidewall andlining sheets to clamp the same in firm engagement for at least partial-support of said lining sheets by said sidewall sheets, said channelalso having a coping connected thereto, a deck extending horizontallyrearwardly from said coping and said brace means being connected toopposite edges of said deck to support the same, axially aligned holesin said overlying sheets adjacent the lower edges thereof atlongitudinally spaced locations along said sheets, and interlockingrod-like members extending through said holes and projecting from atleast the inner surface of said lining sheets for embedment within theadjacent edge of a cement floor when poured onto the ground surfaceencompassed by said sidewalls to a depth adequate to extend upwardlyfrom the bottom edges of said lining sheets and cover said holes andinterlocking members, thereby to anchor said sidewalls to the cement oorthus formed and aix said lining sheets iirmly to said sidewall sheets atthe lower edges thereof.

2. A swimming pool comprising sidewalls formed from substantially rigidmetallic sheets, means connectmg tne opposite ends of said sheetstogether to form the interior confines of said pool, flange membersfixed to the outer surfaces of said sidewall sheets at transverselyspaced locations thereon and having anges projecting outwardly from saidsheets in a direction away from the interior of said pool and saidflanges also extending substantially vertically, brace means comprisinga pair of members crossed upon each other intermediately of the endsthereof to form a substantially X-shaped frame, means connecting theupper and lower ends of one side of said frames to the projectingvidanges of said flange members and said frames also extendingsubstantially perpendicularly rearwardly from said sidewall sheets in adirection away from the interior of said pool, said brace means beingengageable with supporting ground surfaces adjacent said sidewall sheetsto support said sidewalls in substantially vertical position, liningsheets of relatively thin and rigid non-corrosive material flatlyoverlying the inner surfaces of all of said connected sidewall sheets,said lining sheets being substantially coextensive in area therewith,clamping means engaging the opposite outer surfaces of the upper edgesof said overlying sidewall and lining sheets to clamp the same in irmengagement for at least partial support of said lining sheets by saidsidewall sheets, and means to secure the lower edge portions of saidoverlying sidewall and lining sheets in flatly abutting relationshipwith each other and in substantially sealing engagement with theperiphery of a concrete bottom when poured upon the area outlined by thesidewalls of said pool to provide a floor for the pool.

3. The swimming pool according to claim 2 in which said cross framemembers comprise substantially similar metal channels, the outermostlower end of said X-shaped frame being arranged to be embedded in apoured concrete footer, and said brace frames further including anchormembers adapted to extend through said outermost lower ends of saidanchor frames and into said footer to firmly secure said anchor frame tosaid footer.

4. A swimming pool comprising sidewalls formed from substantially rigidmetallic sheets, means connecting the opposite ends of said sheetstogether to form the interior confines of said pool, iiange membersfixed to the outer surfaces of said sidewall sheets at transverselyspaced locations thereon and having flanges projecting outwardly fromsaid sheets in a direction away from the interior of said pool and saidanges also extending substantially vertically, brace means connected tosaid flange members and also extending substantially perpendicularlyrearwardly from said sidewall sheets in a direction away from theinterior of said pool, said brace means being engageable with supportingground surfaces adjacent said sidewall sheets to support said sidewallsin substantially vertical position, lining sheets of relatively thin andrigid non-corrosive material atly overlying the inner surfaces of all ofsaid connected sidewall sheets, said lining sheets being substantiallycoextensive in area therewith, the opposite ends of said sidewall sheetsand lining sheets being bent substantially perpendicular to the planesof said sheets to form overlying connecting anges extending rearwardlyin a direction away from the interior of the pool, gasket stripsinserted directly between the adjacent pairs of flanges on the ends ofsuccessive overlying sidewall and liner sheets, a filler insert betweenthe conneeting Iflanges at one end of said overlying sidewall and linersheets to compensate for discrepancies in the relative lengths of saidsidewall and liner sheets when discrepancies occur -to permit tightconnection of said connecting flanges on adjacent sheets whilepreventing relative bulging of one of said overlying sheets with respectto the other, clamping means engaging the opposite outer surfaces of theupper edges of said overlying sidewall and lining sheets to clamp thesame in irm engagement for at least partial support of said liningsheets by said sidewall sheets, and means to secure the lower edgeportions of said overlying sidewall and lining sheets in iiatly abuttingrelationship with each other and in substantially sealing engagementwith the periphery of a concrete bottom when poured upon the areaoutlined by the sidewalls of said pool to provide a floor for the pool.

5. The swimming pool accor-ding to claim 4 in which said brace meanscomprise frames of connected brace members and the ends of said bracemembers adjacent one side of said brace frames being connected to saidend flanges on said sidewall and liner sheets to connect the sametogether.

l6. The swimming pool according to claim 4 in which the upper ends ofsaid flange members and also the upper ends of said connecting enddianges of said sidewall and liner sheets terminate a limited distancefrom the upper edges of said sheets, and said clamping means whichengage the upper edges of said overlying sheets comprising a bracingchannel member of rigid metal opening downwardly and receiving saidupper edges of said overlying References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTSLeuthesser 52--169 X Dunn 52-584 X Miccio et al 52-300 X Raufio 52-169Silver 52-169 X 1 2 3,239,975 3/1966 Stier 52--169 3,298,038 1/ 1967OConnell et al 4-172 3,371,455 3/1968 Fox 52-169 3,409,916 11/1968Billig et al. 4-172 FOREIGN PATENTS y645,967 7/ 1928 France.

ALFRED C. PERHAM, Primary Examiner U.'S. Cl. XR.

